KL Rahul to miss the opening fixtures for DC in IPL 2025?

With a significant transition in their squad, Delhi Capitals are ready to take on IPL 2025 with the aim of chasing their maiden title. The conclusion of IPL 2024 saw a major overhaul for the franchise as Ricky Ponting left the coaching arena before the side released their captain, Rishabh Pant. In the IPL 2025 mega auction, while Pant became the highest-paid prospect as PBKS claimed him for 27 crores, DC bagged LSG's former skipper KL Rahul for 14 crores. While KL Rahul is not holding any leadership position in the team, the Indian batter remains one of the most crucial picks in their order. However, as per the latest update, the wicketkeeper-batter could miss two of DC’s opening fixtures in IPL 2025.

Delhi Capitals have opted for all-rounder Axar Patel to lead the team in IPL 2025, while former RCB skipper Faf du Plessis has been entrusted with the team's vice-captaincy. KL Rahul, meanwhile, fell out of contention for the skipper’s role, a position he previously held at Lucknow Super Giants. Moreover, Rahul was reportedly anticipated to assume a new role in the batting order as he kicked off his time with the franchise. In an attempt to deal with the withdrawal of Harry Brook from IPL 2025, DC settled KL Rahul in the middle order to stabilize the lineup.

The opening spots, a position Rahul usually held in the IPL, have now gone to Australia’s young sensation Jake Fraser McGurk and Faf du Plessis. With Abishek Porel also in the equation, Rahul’s batting position has been moved down to the middle order, a crucial role further amplified by Brook’s absence. However, it seems like DC will need to find a temporary fix, with Rahul reportedly unavailable for the opening fixtures of IPL 2025.

KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty announced their pregnancy in November 2024 via an Instagram post. The couple later shared adorable photos highlighting the pregnancy after India’s Champions Trophy victory. Now, as per an insight from Australia Women’s skipper Alyssa Healy, Rahul could miss the starting matches as he awaits the birth of his child. While reviewing the squad, Healy noted how DC would shape up with Brook pulling out of the league and Rahul being unavailable for the initial phase.

“No Harry Brook, (so) it will be interesting to see who the replacement player will be. They have KL Rahul, who will probably not play the first couple of games I think... they are awaiting the birth of (their) child, but that dynamic is really cool,” Healy said. “They have that power in the young guys, but they also have a KL Rahul who can stitch the innings in T20 cricket. He's going to be really exciting to watch.”

IPL 2025 is slated to kick off on March 22 at Eden Gardens, with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders going against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the evening clash. Delhi Capitals, meanwhile, will begin their campaign on Monday, March 27, against Lucknow Super Giants.